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Dublin City University has regained its position in the QS Top 50 Under 50, achieving a placing of 46th in today’s league table of the top young universities in the world. It is the only Irish university to feature in this table. Universities are scored on academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, research publications per academic staff, citations per paper, and the international nature of the university (measured in terms of staff and students).

Responding to the publication of the new league table, Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU, said,

“We are delighted with this ranking that recognises the quality of our graduates and the excellent learning experience of DCU students, the impact of our research output and our international outlook. The ranking has a significant impact on our ability to develop international partnerships and to attract international students and staff to DCU. This success has been achieved despite a very challenging funding environment that has had a direct and negative impact on some of the key rankings criteria such as faculty-student ratios. For our part, we are attempting to address this funding shortfall through a range of initiatives, including the launch of the recent DCU/Shaping the Future fundraising drive which will support strategic developments in research, innovation, and the student experience.

Echoing a theme that emerged repeatedly at the Global Irish Economic Forum over the past weekend, Professor MacCraith continued,

“We have reached a tipping point in relation to investment in higher education. Third level education must be a made a priority within the national agenda as it is in the interest of no-one for the quality and reputation of our national education to slide. Fundamental to a sustainable Irish economy and a healthy society is investment in education, at all levels. Our future prosperity, our innovation ecosystem, and the quality of our shared society are all dependent on a thriving education system which is geared towards developing leaders, critical thinkers and problem solvers.”

In a separate report on innovation in 19 Irish higher education institutions, DCU has been ranked in first place for fostering an innovative culture. This study, carried out by a group of leading academics in Trinity College Dublin, surveyed academic staff to assess the quality of the innovation culture in Irish Higher Education institutions (HEIs). The report looks at the role played by universities in the innovation ecosystem, including the fostering of entrepreneurial activities by staff and students. Many HEIs such as DCU invest significant resources in the development of innovation activities.

Already this year, DCU has been ranked 353rd in the QS Global University Rankings and 75th in the THE 100 Under 50 league tables.

For more information on the QS Top 50 Under 50 Rankings, visit http://www.topuniversities.com/top-50-under-50.